Lipstick container



July 11, 1939. A. c. HOFFMAN 2,165,632

LIPSTICK CONTAINER Filed April 7, 1938 In: I

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INVENTOR 7' Allan llHoffma TORNEY Patented July 11, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ms'rrcx comma Allan G. Holman, Milldale, Conn, assignor to Scoviil Manufacturing Company, Waterbury Com, a corporation oi. Connecticut Application April '1, 1938, Serial No. 200,655

18 Claims. ((71. 206-56) This invention relates to a lipstick container and particularly to that type commercially known as the Roll-Top lipstick container.

The type referred to above makes use oi a flexible strap or shutter which passes across the open end of the housing to close the holder. Heretoiore, the strap was so associated with the lipstick carrier cup and an actuating element thatwhen the latter was moved to advance the lipstick, the closure strap or shutter was automatically displaced to open the holder and permit the lipstick to be advanced for use. Specifically, the manner in which the above was accomplished was to have the carrier cup attached to one end of the strap, the opposite end of the strap serving as a shutter for the open end of the container, while the actuating element was secured at an intermediate position on the strap and projected through a slot in the housing. In 2.0 the operation of such type oi lipstick, the actuating element is movedaway from the open end toward the base of the container, for the purpose of moving the strap so as to advance the lipstick and cause it to project through the openme.

This arrangement always gives rise to two disadvantages:

First, because of the timing element or the operating mechanism, the stick of cosmetic material within the container had to be considerably shortened so that it would not interfere with the shutter end of the strap before the latter had cleared the opening.

Second, the thumb of the operator, the finger most convenient for operating the device is required to move away from the open end of the container; that is, when the lipstick is advanced in a projected and exposed position the operators thumb becomes normally located adjacent the lower end of the container and remote from the usable end of the cosmetic. In such a position the operators hand is more or less cramped and at a disadvantage unless the thumb is removed from the actuating element and restored 5 to its initial position, so as to manipulate the lipstick in an emcient manner for dressing the lipstick container still of the "Roll-Top type, 50 but to eliminate the above disadvantages. To

'that end, and as one oithe objects of this invention, the actuating element is normally'disposed adjacent the lower end of the container when the latter is in a closed position, and the 55 element is advanced toward the open end when It is the purpose of this invention to provide a.

opening the container and projecting the lipstick. Thus, the act of opening the container will automatically cause the operators hand to assume the ideal position to manipulate the lipstick. 5

A further object is to provide a lipstick container o! the above nature in which the shutter end of the strap is caused to operate, in moving across the open end of the container, at a higher rate of speed than the relative speed of W the actuating element. With a relatively short initial movement of travel of the thumb actuated element, the shutter end of the strap travels at a considerably greater rate, thus removing itself from the path of the advancing cosmetic. By 15 this arrangement the length or the lipstick within the container can be considerably increased and its useful life prolonged. The difference between the speed of travel of the actuating element and that of the shutter end of the strap 20 is substantially 4 to 1, a diflerential which allows for more than 40% increase in the length of the lipstick over that supplied in the old type of container.

With these general objects and others in view, 26 the invention consists in the features, combination, details of construction and arrangements of parts which will be described in connection with the accompanying drawing and then more particularly .pointed out. 30'

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lipstick holder constructed in accordance with the invention and showing the holder closed.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same so taken along the plane of section line 2-2 of Fig. 4 and showing the interior parts in full view, the device being in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the center of the lipstick taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 4 40 and showing the device in an open position.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View taken along the line 4-! of Fig. 2.

Figs. 5, 6, '7 and 8 are perspective views or interior parts of the mechanism comprising the lipstick container, as they appear removed theretrom.

Referring now to the drawing in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views; numeral Ill refers to an outside casing or housing, having an open lower end Illa 1 and an upper rounded end lob, the rounded end being pierced out to provide an opening or passageway Ii through which a lipstick material l2,

or other stick material is adapted to project in casing l0. As best shown in Fig. 5. the upper portions of the side plates l5 and I6 are stepped inwardly at lid and 6a and the lower portions of the plates are so spaced as to have frictional engagement with the adjacent walls of the housing Hi. The upper ends of the inwardly stepped plates |5a and |6a are held in spaced relation from the adjacent side walls of the casing l by outwardly projecting spacing nubs I51; and lib. (See Figs. 2 and 5.) The guiding lining I4 is of rather simple construction and may be easily inserted into the casing ID from the lower open end Illa. The lining l4 may be permanently held in place by providing the lower sections of the legs I5 and I6 with a pair of semi-circular pierced out openings l8, l8 into which are adapted to snap for interlocking engagement a pair of inwardly pressed nibs I9, I 9 formed in the opposite side walls of the container "I. (See Fig. 1.)

Disposed adjacent the lower end of the casing is a rotatable element, generally indicated bythe numeral 20, and comprising a pair of spaced wings 2|, 2| connected together by an integral cross-bar 22. The wings 2|, 2| of the rotating element are disposed and operate within that area defined by the lower portions of the legs I! and 6 stepped outwardly relative to the upper sections lid and |6a of the guide lining H. In order to provide a pivot for the element 20, the wings 2|, 2| are pierced out with axial apertures 23, 23 and are adapted to have rotatable engagement with a pair of pivot nubs 24, 24 struck inwardly from the legs l5 and I6. thickness of the wings 2| is such relative to the upper offset iegs lid and |6a that the inner surface of said wings 2|, 2| are on a plane common therewith. This arrangement assures a relatively smooth guideway within which the carrier cup 13 is adapted to travel. As best shown in Fig. 2, the rear wall of the carrier cup I3 is rounded as at I 3A for the purpose of clearing the crossbar 22 of the rotatable element 20. The actuating element of the lipstick container is a thumb piece 25 attached to the carrier cup and projects through a longitudinal slot 26 provided 'in the front wall of the outer casing Ill. The thumb piece 25, in this embodiment, is preferably made of strip metal and has its exposed face knurled for gripping purposes. (See Fig. 1.)

The slot 26 through which this thumb piece projects is adapted to be shielded by a longitudinal strip 2| that is co-extensive with said slot and disposed slightly in back thereof. The strip 21 is preferably made slightly wider than the slot 26 for the purpose of effecting a better seal for the slot and preventing deleterious substances entering the casing through said slot.

As best shown in Fig. 4, the thumb piece 25 is formed with opposed ofiset portions 25a, which are adapted to straddle the shielding strip 21 and terminate in lugs 25b. These lugs 25b project through suitable apertures in the adjacent face of the carrier cup I3 and may either be bent over against interior wall of the cup for interlocking engagement therewith or they may be left straight and project into the hollow portion of the cup,

The metalin which latter position they will serve better to anchor the lipstick material.

In order to hold the shielding strip 21 in position, as best shown in Fig. 6, the bottom portion edges of the plates I 6 and I6 abutted thereagainst.

The lower edge of the transverse portion 21a is provided with a forwardly projecting lug 21b which engages in a corresponding slot out out of the lower front edge of said casing l0. (See Fig. 1.) The upp'er end of the shielding strip 21 is held in position by means of an offset lug 28 formed from a portion of the stock that is sheared out of the casing l0 in making the slot 26 adjacent the upper end thereof, and the upper end of the strip 21 in turn is formed with a similar shaped offset lug 210, which interflts with the ing 28 in a manner best shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

As has already been pointed out, the sides of the carrier cup l3 have adequate guide means in the stepped side plates Ilia and |6a of the guide lining I 4 and the aligned walls of the wings 2| of the rotatable member 20. The front and back walls are held in a substantially stable position by the following constructions: as shown in Fig. 2, the front wall of the carrier cup I 3 is supported against the back of the shielding strip 21, while the back wall of the cup is disposed some distance from the rear wall of the casing III. Because of such construction, and in order to prevent the cup from tilting, a pair of parallel transverse pins 30 and 3| are mounted adjacent the front wall of the carrier cup I3, one pin of which is disposed in'the extreme lower front corner, while the other is at an intermediate position thereof. Both of these pins project beyond the outside walls of the cup and bear against the front longitudinal edges of side plates I5, l6, and lid, 6a, during the sliding movement of the carrier cup l3. Other functions for the projecting pins 30 and 3| than that stated above will be set forth later.

There is'provided a shutter means for the opening comprising a flexible strap 32 movable to cover and expose this opening. In carrying out the invention in its entirety, the shutter is so associated with the rotation of the element 20 and the actuating element or thumb piece 25 for moving the carrier cup I 3 that the movement of the actuating element to advance the lipstick automatically withdraws the shutter.

This may be conveniently accomplished by forming the shutter as the end portion of a single unitary flexible strap 32 connected to the crossbar 22 of the element 20 by means of a rivet 33.

In order to provide suitable guide means for the flexible strap, as best shown in Fig. 5, the rear edges of the upper ends of the stepped plates I51: and |6a are stepped inwardly with regard to the rear edges of the lower portions of plates l5 and I6 and merge with the edges of the curved sections terminating the upper ends of the side plates I51: and |6a. Thus, when the liner I4 is assembled in the casing III, the rear and upper rounded edges of the stepped plates 5a and |6a will be spaced from the rear wall of said casing I0 and provide a. pair of guide channels 35 through which the major portion of the flexible strap 32 isadapted to be guided.

In order to assure sufllcient stock of the strap 32 to engage in the channels 35, the upper portion ofthe strap 32 is enlarged or of a wider dimension than at the lower end, thus providing for a pair of guide tongues 36 and 31, such as represented by that portion of strap stock outside of the dot and dash lines indicated in Fig. 8. The upper end of the strap 32 serves as the shutter for the opening II in the casing Ill. The lower smaller end of the flexible strap 32, as previously pointed out, is anchored to the crossbar 22 of the rotative member 20 by means of the rivet 33 passing through aligned apertures 39 and 40 provided in strap 32 and crossbar 22.

The normal position of the rotative member 20 is as shown in Fig. 2. In order to operate the member 20, the forward edges of the wings 2| are each provided with a pair of spaced notches 4| and 42 on the opposite sides of a projecting cam nose 43. The upper notch 4| merges into a relatively long cam edge 44, while the lower notch merges into a relatively short cam edge 45.

In the normal closed position of the container, the relative position of the cup I3 is such that the upper transverse pin 30 is disposed adjacent upper notch 4|, while the other pin 3| is disposed out of its respective notch 42. In this position the upper end of the flexible strap 32 is disposed across the opening H in the rounded end of the casing II] in the manner of a shutter.

When it is desired to use the lipstick in this container, it will be only necessary to operate the thumbpiece 25 by advancing it upwardly through its slot 26. This action will cause the following mechanical functions to take place within the container. The upper transverse pin 30 will cam against the longer cam edge 44 of the wings 2 I, 2| and shortly thereafter the lower pin 3| will cam against the edge of the nose 43, causing the element 20 to rotate in a clockwise direction. During this action, the lower pin 3| will ride into the lower notch 42 and out of the same passing along the edge of the cam nose and rotating the element 20 in its complete stroke to the position shown in Fig. 3. During the rotation of the element 20, the strap 32 will be rolled upon the curved edges 46, 46 of the wings 2|, 2| causing the shutter end of the strap 32 to be displaced from the opening H in the upper end of the container. The curved edges 46, 46 of the wings 2|, 2| are preferably formed as arcs of a true circle concentric with the axial apertures It will be noted that the strap 32 is longitudinally displaced in its respective guide channels only at the beginning of the stroke of the thumb piece 25 or until such time that the lower pin 3| of this carrier cup I3 is out of engagement with the notch 42 and cam nose 43. The rest of the stroke of the carrier cup |3 will be effected entirely independent of the rotative element 20 and complemental strap 32.

In drawing the thumb piece back, to return the carrier cup; the reverse operation will result. There will be no movement of the strap 32 until the end of the lipstick (in its full length) will have substantially cleared through the. opening ||,.or until the lower pin 3| of the cup l3 engages the short straight cam edge 45. This starts the element 20 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction and with further downward movement of the cup l3, the pin 3| will ride into and out of the notch 42, and completion of the rotary movement of the element 20 will be efiected by the upper pin 30 camming againstthe adjacent edge of the cam nose 43. Thus, the strap 32 will be displaced upwardly and its shutter end will seal the opening It is to be further noted that the distance of the curved edges 46, 46 from the axis of the rotatable element 20 is made considerably greater than the operating distance of the pins 30 and 3| from said axis. In this case the ratio is substantially 4 to l, which construction causes the strap 32 to travel considerably faster than the carrier cup. This construction allows the shutter end of the strap to clear the opening much more rapidly than in the type of Roll-Top lipstick wherein the operating member and carrier cup were attached directly to the strap. As a result a longer stick of cosmetic material |2 can be supplied in the container than heretofore.

While there is herein described and upon this drawing shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements and details of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed:

1. In a lipstick holder, in combination, a housing having an opening in its upper end; a liner in the housing; a flexible strap guided between said liner and the housing; a lipstick carrier cup slidably mounted within said housing; an exterior operating means secured to said carrier cup; a strap take-up means mounted in thebase end of said housing and having one end of said strap anchored thereto; and cooperative means between said take-up means and said carrier cup whereby slidable movement of thecarrier cup will cause the free end of the strap serving as a shutter to alternately cover and uncover the housing opening.

2. In a lipstick holder, in combination, a housing having an opening, a closed end and a longitudinal slot; a liner in the housing; a flexible strap guided between said liner and the housing and normally closing said housing opening; a lipstick carrier cup slidably mounted within said housing and axially guided by said liner; operating means secured directly to said carrier cup and projecting through said slot; a strap take-up means pivotally mounted in the base end of said housing and having one end of said strap anchored thereto; and means carried by said cup having cooperative engagement with said takeup means whereby movement of the cup in one direction causes said strap to uncover said opening, and movement of the cup in the opposite direction causes said strap to cover said opening.

3. In a lipstick holder, in combination, a housing having a lower open end, a longitudinal slot and a rounded top pierced out to form an end opening; a U-shaped liner in the housing comprising two longitudinal side walls and an integral connecting base wall, the latter serving as a closure for the lower open end of said housing; a flexible strap guided between the edges of said side walls and said housing having one end serving as a shutter for said end opening; a lipstick carrier cup slidably mounted within said housing and axially guided by said side walls; operating means secured directly to said carrier cup and projecting through said slot; a roller means pivotally mounted adjacent the base end of said housing and having one end of said strap anchored thereto; and means coacting between said roller means and said carrier cup whereby initial movement of said cup from the base of said housing will cause said roller means to rotate and roll up a suflicient portion of the anchored'end said housing providing a pair of guide channels;

a carrier cup for a lipstick slidable within the housing and axially guided by said side walls; a thumb piece secured to said cup and operating through a longitudinal slot provided in the easing; a flexible strap slidable in said channels one end of which serves as a shutter for longitudinal movementacross said end opening; means operating adjacent the base end of said house capable of rolling up the opposite end of said strap, and means carried by said cup for actuating said first means only during the initial upward movement and the final downward movement of said cup.

5. In a lipstick holder, in combination, a housing having a lower open end, a longitudinal slot and a rounded top pierced out to provide a discharge opening; a guide lining comprising a .U- shaped part, the legs of which telescope inside the housing and the connecting end of which constitutes a bottom closure for the housing, the upper portion of said legs being offset inwardly from the adjacent walls of said housing and the rear edges of said offset leg portions being spaced from the adjacent rear wall of said housing and defining a pair of guide channels; a longitudinal strap of flexible material, a portion of which is of increased width presenting edges that are adapted to ride in said channels, one end of said strap serving as a shutter for said discharge opening; a carrier cup for a lipstick slidably mounted in said housing and axially guided by said legs; a thumb piece projecting through said slot and connected with said cup; roller means pivotally mounted adjacent the base end of said housing and having the opposite end of said strap anchored thereto; and means coacting between said carrier cup and said roller means whereby whenthe former is operated the latter will be actuated and axially displace said flexible strap along its guide channels.

6. In a lipstick holder, in combination, a housing having a lower open end, a longitudinal slot and a rounded top pierced out to provide a discharge opening; a guide lining comprising a U- shaped part, the legs of which telescope inside the housing and the connecting end of which constitutes a bottom closure for the housing, the upper portion of said legs being ofiset inwardly from the adjacent walls of said housing andthe rear edges of said offset leg portions being spaced from the adjacent rear wall of said housing for providing a pair of guide channels; a longitudinal strap of flexible material guided in channels, one end of which serves as a shutter for said discharge opening; a carrier cup for a lipstick slidably mounted in said housing; a thumb piece projecting through said slot and connected with said cup; means pivotally mounted in the lower section or said legs comprising a pair of spaced wings connected together by an integral cross- .bar, the opposite end or said strap being anupper portion 01' said legs being ofl'set inwardly from the adjacent walls of said housing and the rear edges of said offset leg portions being spaced from the adjacent rear wall of said housing defining a pair of guide channels; a longitudinal strap of flexible material guided in said channels, one end of which serves -as a shutter for said discharge opening; a carrier cup for a lipstick slidably mounted in said-housing; a thumb piece projecting through said slot and connected with said cup; a rotative element located adjacent the base end of saidhousing comprising a pair of spaced wings pivotally mounted to the lower portions of said legs and connected together by an integral cross-bar, the opposite end of said strap being anchored to said cross-bar, said wings each having one or more recesses; and the carrier cup provided with one or more sets of opposed projections engagable in said recesses whereby axial movement of said cup will cause said wings torotate.

8. In a lipstick holder according to claim 7 wherein the pivotal connection betweensaid wings and said legs is effected by a pair of axial apertures provided in said wings and a pair of trunnions pressed inwardly from the stock of the legs and engaging in said apertures. I

9. In a lipstick holder, in combination, a housing having a lower open end, a longitudinal slot and a rounded top pierced out to provide a discharge opening; a guide lining comprising a U- shaped part, the legs of which telescope inside the housing, the connecting end of which constitutes a bottom closure for the housing, the upper portion of said legs being oflset inwardly from the adjacent side walls of said housing and the rear edges of said oflset leg portions being spaced from the adjacent rear wall of said housing for providing a pair of guide channels; a longitudinal strap of flexiblematerial guided in said channels, one end of which serves as a shutter for said discharge opening; a carrier cup for a lipstick slidably mounted in said housing; a

thumb piece projecting through said slot and connected with said cup; a rotative element located adjacent the base end of said housing and comprising a pair oi spaced wings pivotally mounted upon the'lower portions of said legs and connected together by an integral cross-bar, the opposite end of said strap anchored to said cross-bar; means coacting between said carrier cup and said wings to rotate the latter, and said wings having arcuate sections upon which said strap is adapted to roll and unroll coincident with their rotation to alternately cause the shutter end of said strap to cover and uncover said discharge opening.

10. In a lipstick holder, in combination, a housing having a lower open end, a longitudinal slot and a rounded top pierced out to provide discharge opening; a guide lining comprising a U- shaped part, the legs of which telescope inside the housing and the connecting end of which constitutes a bottom closure for the housing, the upper portions of said legs being offset inwardly toward each other and the rear edge'thereof being spaced from the adjacent wall of said housing to provide for a pair of guide channels, substantially the entire length of the forward edges of said legs being likewise spaced from the adjacent wall of said housing; a longitudinal strap of flexible material guided in said channels and one end of which serves as a shutter for said discharge opening; a carrier cup for a lipstick slidably mounted in said housing; a thumb piece projecting through said slot and connected with said cup; a rotative element located adjacent the base end of said housing and comprising a pair of spaced wings pivotally mounted upon the lower portions of said legs and connected together by an integral cross-bar, the opposite end of said strap being secured to said cross-bar, said wings each having a pair of edge slots; and a pair of spaced pins transversely mounted in said cup adjacent theiront wall thereof and having portions extending beyond the opposite walls of said cup, said extended portions coacting with said edge slots of said wings to rotate said element upon axial movement of said cup, andsaid extended portions further having spaced bearing engagement with the front edge of said legs to axially guide said cup within said housing.

11. In a lipstick holder; a housing having an opening in its upper end; a flexible strap guided within said housing and capable of longitudinal movement across said opening; a carrier cup for a lipstick slidable .in said housing; an exterior operating means secured to said cup; and roller means disposed adjacent the lower end of said housing and operated by said carrier cup at the beginning and ending of its slidable movement in the lower end of-the housing to displace said strap within said housing.

12. In a lipstick holder; a housing having an opening in its upper end; a flexible strap guided within said housing and capable of longitudinal movement across said opening; a carrier cup for a lipstick slidable in said housing; an exterior operating means secured to said cup; roller means pivotally mounted adjacent the base end of said housing and having. one end of the strap secured thereto; and means coacting between said cup and roller means for actuating the latter and longitudinally displacing said strap within said housing.

13. In a lipstick holder according to claim 12 wherein the coacting means between said cup and roller means engages closer to the axis said roller than the roller portion on which the'strap is rolled, whereby the strap will travel a greater distance relative to the distance of travel of said cup during the period of engagement between th roller means and said coacting means.

' 14. In a lipstick holder; a housing having an open end, a closed end and a longitudinal slot; a flexible strap guided within said housing one end of which serves as a shutter for said open end; a carrier cup for a lipstick slidable in said housing; a shielding strip covering said longitudinal slot from the inside of said housing; an operating member projecting through said slot,

straddling said strip and secured to said cup;

roller means pivotally mounted adjacent the base end of said housing and having the opposite end of said strap secured thereto; and means coacting between said carrier cup and said roller means to actuate the latter and roll up a portion of said strap coincident with the initial movement of said cup.

15. In a lipstick holder according to claim 14 wherein said shielding strip is relatively wider than said longitudinal slot providing two overlapping sections, said operating member having opposltely oflset portions embraced between said overlapping sections and offered suificient frictional resistance therebetween to hold said carrier cup in an elevated position,

16. In a lipstick holder; a housing having an open end and a closed end; a flexible strap guided within said housing, one end of which serves as a shutter for said opening; a carrier cup for a lipstick slidable within said housing; an exterior operating member secured directly to said cup; means located adjacent the base end of said housing having connection with the opposite end of said strap and adapted to roll up a portion of the same; and coacting elements between said cup and said means whereby the movement of said operating member toward the open end' causes said shutterto be removed from said opening, and the movement of said operating member in the reverse direction causes said shutter to close said opening.

17. In a lipstick holder; a housing having anopen end and a closed end; a flexible strap guided within said housing, one end of which serves as a shutter for said opening; a carrier cup for a lipstick slidable within said housing; an exterior operating member secured directly to said cup;

roller means pivotally mounted adjacent the base end of said housing, the opposite end of said strap being anchored to said roller means; and coacting elements interengaged between said carrier cup and said roller means for actuating the latteronly during the initial and terminal movement of the carrier cup, the actuation of which roller means caused the shutter end of the strap to alternately'cover and uncover the open end of said housing. I

, 18. In a lipstick holder according to claim 17 wherein the coacting elements engage the roller closer to the roller axis than that portion on which the strap is rolled whereby the distance that the strap is longitudinally moved in either direction is greater than the distance travelled by said cup during the period of time that the co acting elements engage the roller, a

- v ALLAN C. HOFFMAN. 

